THE University of Wales faces an "unsustainable" future as an increasing number of its member institutions seek their own degree-awarding powers, it was claimed yesterday.

The university, which celebrates its 112th birthday this month, could be rendered obsolete after Aberystwyth became the latest institution to apply for the right to award its own degrees.

June's publication of the Wigley Report encouraged the university's constituent institutions to apply for the powers, but to remain affiliated to a slimmed-down version of the umbrella body.

But Rhys Williams, pro-vice-chancellor at University of Wales, Swansea, described the new proposals as "just papering over the cracks". "It's an odd model to have a university with no students on its books - it's a peculiar type of arrangement," he said.

"The Wigley Report is a desperate attempt to salvage what it can from the University of Wales from Cardiff's decision to break away and Glamorgan never having wanted to be a part of it. It's just papering over the cracks, and in the long term it's probably unsustainable.

"The university has handed over nearly all its parts to the constituent institutions, so we have just been given a whole set of residual powers that were part of the university, and have now come to us."

But he said there remained a sentimental attachment to the university. "It has a special place in Welsh hearts because it was founded by the people of Wales, and they'd argue it's not ours to give way," he said. "There's a loyalty there to the institution, but in the current structure it's difficult to see how it can survive."

Most of the constituent institutions in the University of Wales now have degree-awarding powers, while Aberystwyth, Bangor and the North East Wales Institute in Wrexham are all in the process of applying for them.

But Tony Chapman, senior vice-chancellor of the University of Wales, denied the powers of the federal colleges weakened the standing of the university as a whole.

"I think that the Wigley Report actually secures the future of the University of Wales and I've got confidence in the new arrangement because it is better suited to this new decade and millennium in terms of streamlining, decision making, being more slimmed down and offering value for money," he said.

"The University of Wales has built up a really excellent reputation for the standard of its degree and that is recognised worldwide.

"There was a time not too long ago when we didn't have a Welsh Assembly and when an institution like the University of Wales was rightly acknowledged as a really important national institution where there would be all sorts of debate about Welsh matters.

"That is no longer the case, but it doesn't mean we should throw the baby out with the bath water. Now we want to concentrate on our proper functions, which are awarding degrees and promoting the language and culture of Wales.

"I have no reason to believe that Swansea, Bangor, Aberystwyth or any other university would choose to walk away from the University of Wales having gained their own awarding powers."

A National Assembly spokesman said, "The future of the University of Wales is a matter for the University of Wales and its constituent parts."

The long-term future of the University of Wales has been debated since a Quality Assurance Agency report in May 2004 concluded that 'limited confidence can be placed in the soundness of the university's present and likely future management of the quality of its programmes and of the academic standards of its awards'.

A working group, chaired by former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley was set up to examine what future steps to take. Meanwhile, Cardiff University merged with the College of Medicine and withdrew from the University of Wales, while Swansea acquired degree- awarding powers this year.

The Wigley Report, published in June 2005 urged the university to adopt a flat, non-hierarchical structure, with more prominence given to promoting the Welsh language and culture.